Months ago, our far-flung editors and in-country advisers began collecting all the data and details that inform our Retirement Index.

We’ve changed how we do things, narrowing down the countries we focus on to the top 19, and considering each across eight crucial categories: real estate, special retirement benefits, cost of living, ease of integration, entertainment and amenities, health care, retirement infrastructure and climate.

This is a qualitative assessment, based on real-world data gathered on the ground. For each category in our Index, we looked closely at what matters most to you when you’re considering an overseas retirement spot—everything from the price of bread to how easy it is to make friends or stay in touch with family.

We considered a vast range of data points, from the average humidity to the cost of a taxi. And with costs in mind, we examined prices for real estate, rentals, and utilities like water, electricity, and cable TV. We looked at costs for groceries, eating out, even specific medical procedures. We took into account what kind of discounts retirees can get on travel, taxes and entertainment. And we considered whether there were direct flights back home…how many and how long they are, too.

And we asked: What is the Internet like? Do you need a car? Can you catch a movie in English? Are the people friendly? Does it rain? In effect, we asked all the questions you should ask when you’re considering a retirement overseas. The results are below.

Country Real Estate Special Benefits Cost of Living Inte. E&A Health Infras. Climate Final Scores

In Malaysia, you can live quite comfortably. For instance, you can rent a sea-view apartment on Penang Island for $1,000 a month. Plus, Malaysia has a unique retirement benefit called the My Second Home program, which is open to all foreigners who want to retire to one of Asia’s best-value destinations, International Living said. And while it might not seem so, the editors said Malaysia is also an easy place in which to integrate.

You’ll find plenty of locals who want to practice their English-speaking skills. And you can catch a feature movie — in English — for $4. And there’s a good infrastructure in place for retirees. There’s Internet access, quality roads and cell phone coverage, among other must-haves for ex-pats.

Prescher had this advice for retirees and would-be retirees who want to retire abroad. Make sure you spend as much time on the ground in the country to which you plan to retire. Vacationing in a country is much different from living there. When you vacation somewhere, you never really have to open a bank account or order phone service. Instead, he suggests renting a place in your retirement haven.

You are right because Malaysia is one of the best tourist country in the world, so you are on retirement age in your life and you are rich person than you can think like this that you purchase one your own real estate home in Malaysia and pass your retirement time of your life. It is one big and nice enjoyment.

Every year, more and more expats are waking up to the amazing opportunities Malaysia has to offer. The country has one of the most robust economies in Asia, and this is reflected in the consistently high standard of living available to locals and expats alike. It’s just one of many factors that led to it being ranked the highest Asian nation in this year’s index."